The Irish standard., 1887-06-18

all had gone, laid a we'll filled basket al
the holy mans feet. His reverence
thanked her for her Christmas box,
hoping that her very kind heart would
never become hardened by intercourse
with the world. Then laying his snowy
hand on her head, he bestowed bless.
ing on both. Brian and Cora he had
married in this very cave in the autumn
before, and they ever blessed the good
old priest who had made them one.
When all had gone the old man, ap-
parently overcome with a sense of his
great lonliness, sank down on a stone
and, burying his face in his hands, wept
bitterly. 1t was then there flashed
across the guager's brain an involun-
tary meditation on the agony OF the
Blessed Lord in the garden. deserted
by all, and he exclaimed within his
heart: 'sTruly a follower of our dear
Redeemer, in the highest sense is the
prosecuted Irish priest! When the holy
man regained composure, what an
aspect his face bore 50 noble and yet
SO resigned in expression. He appeared
to be man of about sixty years, though
possessing a bright and innocent youth.
fulness on his features.
By coughs the guager soon attracted
attention. Thinking at first that it
might be one of his own people, the
clergyman came to meet him as he Sad-
vanced from the shade, out for mo-
ment appeared surprised, and perhaps
alarmed; then look of joyfuI resigna-
tion swept over his features, for in his
readily formed opinion of the young
Englishman's propensities as spy, he
imagined another Judas about to be-
tray him.
Bending on one knee before the
priest, in as few words as possible, he
recounted the whole adventure. The
old man listened with mild attention
and in a kind and cheerful voice, bade
him welcome. Appearing. however to
remember that he must have tasted
long, he invited him to an inner apart
ment, where large stone, covered by a
course cloth, served for table. On
this he emptied the contents of Cora's
basket, which consisted of a pair Of
roast ducks, a fine piece of ham, and
plenty of very good bread.
Having partaken heartily Of these
dainties, of which they both stood so
much in need, the priest described his
precarious life-a life common to all his
profession in that period, when sever-
eign authorized revolving acts of op-
preston and countenanced the attempt
unsuccessful as such could only be
to make way with religion established
for all ages.
The good clergyman then gave the
young gauger the use of his bed, which
was made in a niche Of the rock and
consisted of dried ferns and heather,
and a soft feather pillow, a gift of
Cora's. On this the gauger slept
and at his ease. When he
awoke, daylight was streaming into the
apartment. The kind old priest, mean
while, had thoughtfully drawn map
of the road to town, leaving no chance
of difficulty as to his finding the way.
On taking leave, which he did with
great regret, the gauger pressed the old
man to take the contents of his purse,
exhorting him to try and gain the con-
tinent, where he might be safe. This
the priest declined to do, saying he was
too old and too fond Of his country to
become willingly an exile.
Arriving home safe, and filled with
deep regret that a people so noble and
so hospitable should, in his own country
be so misrepresented, the young Eng
lishman soon rendered his resignation
to his employers, bidding farewell to a
land for which he ever afterwards felt
the most profound respect and SYM
pathy.
Nv.